After nearly dieing on Elbert the day before, we made the trek to the summit of La Plata Peak. Conditions were deplorable and snow as very loose. Many times we would posthole and get stuck. Never the less…we saw some goats. That made us feel better?!?!

Great views from the top. Like Elbert, conditions did not allow for a good summit picture.

A beautiful day for my last summit. I was actually considering doing this peak via Ellingwood Ridge but after Princeton, I did not feel like making things hard on myself and decided to just take the main trail and enjoy my last summit of the summer. Once on the summit, I was all alone and it was the best view I had all week long. I decided to do what I always wanted to do, and thus I beat off right there on the summit and left a piece of me for everyone to enjoy. It was a great culmination to a hard week of peakbagging.

My 2nd attempt (first Oct. 2000, started out too late, partner was out of shape and slowed us down as well); coming off night shift, didn't sleep at TH camp, indigestion from failing vegetarian diet, drank 3 beers night before, altitude sickness started at peak and lasted for a while down, dry heaves and all. Made it, though!

I underestimated this beast!! The route's difficulties are sustained and feature plenty of challenging route finding. It took me about 7.75hrs to reach the top, 10.5hrs car to car. I stayed mostly on the ridge, but ducked off of it a few times when things looked 5th class. A dusting of snow didn't help things either!